Features

While there are many plant diseases that make growing tomatoes a challenge in the Southeast, a relatively new disease threatens to make homegrown tomatoes almost impossible for many local gardeners.

Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) is different from most tomato diseases because a virus, rather than a fungus or bacteria, cause it.

Daylilies are tolerant of almost anything nature or humans can cast upon them—heat, cold, drought and neglect. They are remarkably resistant to diseases and pest problems.

Daylilies require little care, increasing in number and beauty year after year. Their spectacular blooms create a palette of colors. Thirty-five thousand plus registered varieties can be found in a kaleidoscope of extravagant shades—creamy beige, lemon yellow, pale lavender, hot magenta, candy pink, pizza orange, splashy red and royal purple.

Title sponsor James E. Moore Insurance Agency, the YWCA and more than 450 guests honored women and teen leaders from Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties at the Women of Achievement Awards on Thursday, May 22, at UNC-Wilmington.

“This 24th annual event not only acknowledges and honors extraordinary leaders in our community, it also serves as a primary fundraiser,” said Lois Cook Steele, YWCA executive director. “Through the generosity of our sponsors and guests, we raised much needed funds for the programs and services that we offer.”

Guided walks to Bird Island are back for another season.

At 9 a.m. every Wednesday through August, visitors are invited to meet at the last westward walkover at 40th Street in Sunset Beach for a guided stroll down the beach to the pristine, uninhabited island.

A knowledgeable tour guide leads the way, offering information and answering questions during the hour-long beach walk.

Topics include beachcombing, sand dune wildlife, habitats of Bird Island and the history of Bird Island.

As we become more and more crowded with new developments and the subsequent clearing and bush hogging of properties, it becomes more and more imperative to create wildlife habits in our own backyards and communities.

Most of us are already at least part way there. Just a few simple adjustments to our garden areas can make our yards much more hospitable to the birds, bees and butterflies. We rely on these amazing creatures for their beauty and also for their ability to pollinate.

Insects: Some of the first wave of Japanese beetles have already made their presence known and have been seen on some crape myrtles, as well as some other popular landscape ornamentals. There are a number of pyrethrins that may be used to control Japanese beetles. You may wish to check some of these out: Talstar, Decathlon, Astro and X-clude. Orthene, Sevin and Malathion may also be used. Be sure to follow label directions.

Once upon a time in America, you could find seaside amusement parks in virtually every beachfront resort town from Maine to Florida.

Today, fewer than 20 oceanside parks dot the entire East Coast.

One of them is Family Kingdom Amusement Park just down the coast in Myrtle Beach, S.C., which is still providing family thrills after more than 40 years.

Many trees and shrubs are selected because of their flowering habit. It can be discouraging when they fail to bloom or set fruit. It is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a plant’s failure to bloom, however, here are some possibilities:

West Brunswick High School students kicked off their Sunday shoes last weekend when they performed the musical “Footloose.”

A cast of 40 students and 14 members of the show choir rehearsed since March for the show. Kate Flynn, Leslie Jackson and Allie Marshall helped backstage and behind the scenes.

Amanda Penegar, theater arts director, said she has always loved the movie version, and the students couldn’t have agreed more.